Coronation Street star Jennie McAlpine on I’m A Celebrity: I know my late dad ‘would have told me to do it’

Jennie McAlpine believes her late father, mental health campaigner Tom McAlpine, would be pleased she’s taking part in the new series of I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! as the official line-up is confirmed

Coronation Street actress Jennie McAlpine has revealed the part her late father Tom played in her deciding to take part in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

As the official line-up for the series was announced, the 33-year-old actress, who’s best known for playing Fiz in Corrie, has said she will really miss her toddler son Albert while she’s in the jungle, especially as he’s about to turn three.

“I had to really think about this because the biggest thing is leaving my little boy,” she explained.

“Even the thought of it beforehand made me shudder. It’s going to be his birthday whilst I am in the jungle and I spend all my time with him when I am not working on Corrie.

“Leaving Albert when I first go into the camp will be my trial… It really will.”

Jennie with the complete 2017 line-up for I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

But, Jennie went on to say she knew she had to seize this chance to be part of I’m A Celeb, which will once again be fronted by Ant and Dec.

“I lost my Dad earlier this year and that was a big thing. But I knew he would have told me to do it. He always told me to do stuff and he always encouraged me. He kept saying ‘Give it a go to find out if you are good enough or not’. And so that was a big part of it.”

“I know Albert is going to have an amazing experience as he is coming to Australia with my husband and I. That will be lovely. I am feeling excited about it all but also nervous.”

As to what her Coronation Street castmates will think of her taking part in I’m A Celeb, Jennie said: “They will be shocked as I am happy with my lot and everything is fine but I am looking forward to this challenge. It’s going to be nice to meet people who I wouldn’t have met if I didn’t do a show like this.”

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